I hate to inform you that on January 11, 2025, my father, Erik Dalton, passed away unexpectedly from a heart attack while practicing swimming in his pool on his 81st birthday in Costa Rica.
Tributes on Social Media
This news truly breaks my heart. R.I.P Erik Dalton, after years of wanting to take your class and not being able to afford it. I finally purchased the full MAT last year and have been working on completing it while looking forward to meeting you in person at a workshop. Sad I will never have the chance to meet you but so thankful for all of your knowledge. You have helped so many people. You truly are amazing and I will continue to use your knowledge to help as many people as I can. You will be missed, a facebook post said.
Oh, Erik Dalton! Did you have to leave so quickly? I wanted to talk with you again, my big brother. I am sad in the heart to hear of my friend’s passing. He lived life full-throttle, so I shouldn’t be surprised that slowing down was not in the cards.
I’ve been in that pool, in the early days when they were trying to tempt me to Costa Rica too. The beautiful land fit him (and Terri, too, bless her), and though we never pitched up there, it was always fun to think of him and know where he was when he wasn’t in Oklahoma or on the road wowing his fans with his encyclopedic knowledge, wacky humor, and mastery of technique.
It was clear – he was my big brother, and I was his little brother; we addressed one other by those titles. We initially met on the road, at AMTA conferences and other events where we both spoke frequently, and witnessed the fascial bodywork tale evolve into fascial research congresses and general knowledge, thanks to our efforts, of course, as well as the labor of many others.
However, it all contributes to the gradual transition of our culture to one that is body conscious. Erik, you were drawn to music by your sense of rhythm, which has followed you throughout your career in bodywork. The pelvis struts the bass, the spine performs harmonies, and the tissues sing.
Peace be with you, big brother. You taught many others, including me. “Excellent work,” another message stated.
